Wesley Corpus

Tues. 15.--About noon I preached at Oxford. I have seen no such prospect here for many years. The congregation was large and still as night, although many gentlemen were among them. The next evening the House would not contain the congregation; yet all were quiet, even those that could not come in : And I believe God not only opened their under standings, but began a good work in some of their hearts. Wed. 16.--I preached at Witney, one of the liveliest places in the Circuit, where I always find my own soul refreshed. I saw such a garden at Oxford as I verily believe all Eng land cannot parallel. It is three-square; and, I conjecture, contains about an acre of ground: It is filled with fruit-trees of various sorts, and all excellent in their kinds. But it is odd beyond all description; superlatively whimsical. The owner has crowded together pictures, statues, urns, antiques of various kinds: For all which why should not Mr. Badcock's name, as well as Mr. Roberts's, be consigned to posterity? Thur. 17.--I preached at Thame; this evening and the next, at High-Wycomb; and on Saturday, returned to London. Mon. 21.--I preached at Tunbridge-Wells; Tuesday, 22, at Sevenoaks. Wednesday, 23. I visited the house of mourning at Shoreham, and read the strange account at first hand. Not long after his former wife died, Mr. H. paid his addresses to Miss B. He had been intimately acquainted with her for some years. By immense assiduity, and innumerable professions of the tenderest affection, he, by slow degrees, gained hers. The time of marriage was fixed: The ring was bought: The wed ding clothes were sent to her. He came one Thursday, a few days before the wedding-day, and showed the most eager affection; so he did on Saturday. He came again on the Wednesday following, sat down very carelessly on a chair, and told her with great composure, that he did not love her at all, and therefore could not think of marrying her. He talked a full hour in the same strain, and them walked away ! Her brother sent a full account of this to Miss Perronet, who read it with perfect calmness, comforted her niece, and strongly exhorted her to continue steadfast in the faith. But the grief which did not outwardly appear, preyed the more upon her 240 Rev. J. wesley’s [Nov. 1782.